Teak deck caulking

  • March 19, 2024 6:32 PM
    Message # 13331989

    Hi there, I’m new to WOA and maybe someone can help me. I’d like to remove the black caulking from between the planks on the teak deck. The caulking is 50 years old and has risen above the level of the wood and gets on soles of shoes. This leads to tracking black all over the boat. I have tried a specially made knife but the caulking is too tenacious. Does anybody have any ideas?

  • March 20, 2024 8:28 AM
    Reply # 13332216 on 13331989

    Hello Charles,

       Sounds like your deck has some foreign materials in the seams if it’s tracking around.

    Make a few raker tools from old screwdrivers. Heat the shank and bend to 90 degrees. Grind the tip to the width of your teak grooves then file both the tip and sides to a very sharp edge. These will pull the caulking out. If the grooves are a little shallow you can deepen them using a fein tool. While you are there replace any missing bungs.if the screws are too high you can pull and reset them and rebung. When recaulking make sure to clean the grooves well with acetone. Use Teak Deck System caulking.

    It’s worth the effort.           Lee

  • March 22, 2024 9:20 AM
    Reply # 13333346 on 13331989

    Hi Charles , this is a tool for a  oscillating type multi tool . I have used it on my turtle .

    I can't find the one I bought , It was about 30. dollars . I wish I'd seen this one before I bought mine .

    https://multifitblades.com/4-mm-sealant-gap-arbor-hook-blade-quick-release.html

    Last modified: March 22, 2024 9:21 AM | Anonymous member
  • March 22, 2024 1:31 PM
    Reply # 13333486 on 13331989

    The caulking in my decks was also breaking down and tracking black around. 

    I didn't have a multi-tool when I tackled the cockpit seams so don't have a sense of what I was missing without it, but I did have good results with a bent screwdriver that came with the boat, and also the TDS reefing hook, which felt worth whatever I paid for it. (Can't remember what it was at the time, but it's currently way cheaper at defender than amazon.) I also cut the caulking away from the teak sides with a razor knife before reefing it out, which was key. The TDS seam sander took care of whatever was left over before cleaning and re-caulking with TDS caulk.While my teak was still thick enough to be worth re-caulking, it's not thick enough that I felt comfortable sanding it all down after ward, so I taped up all teak before re-caulking.

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